Like everyone else here, I think the term, "breastfeeding nazi" is extremely offensive. I think (through my reading of this particular thread) that all of us are in agreement about this. We have also done a lot of talking about how to change this image. Are we going to be able to be successful? I think the answer to this is only "partially successful." We, as lactation specialists, have no control over what others are going to say and do and what terms others are going to use. To think we are going to do so is folly and a huge waste of our time. As in any profession, there are always going to be those among us who give the rest of us a bad name, so to speak. There will always be those militant "activists" who approach this subject with their own brand of enthusiasm, turning everyone around them off in the process: and thus continuing to support the idea that we are a group of militant "wingnuts" (for lack of a better or more appropriate word). I can think of several places where pre-conceived notions distort reality. One or two militant Bradley childbirth instructors can sour everyone on the very effective Bradley approach to childbirth (which is just actually good common sense). I can't tell you how many times I have had to dispel the myth that all LLL members are not wacky hippies who wear Birks, long skits, don't shave their legs and nurse their kids till they are 10! My point is that there will always be militants among us in lactation as well and misinformation will continue to flow from the mouths of healthcare providers as well as from under-educated lay people. The best thing we can do to promote breastfeeding is to be down-to-earth, realistic and supportive of whatever amount of breastfeeding a woman chooses. Making sure our clients have good, evidence based information to make their choices will go a lot farther than the militant approach. Our patients will in the long run, educate our pediatricians and nurses. We need to teach our clients to hold their healthcare providers accountable and that, we can do. Let's support those who are trying and educate in the process. When we are asked to speak to a group (as was discussed previously), let's concentrate on approaching the subject in a calm, collected manner and dispel those myths while we're speaking. To refuse to go and speak does us all a disservice. The sooner our profession gets rid of the more militant approach, the sooner we are less likely to be called any offensive names. We can't help everyone and there is never going to be a time when all babies are breastfed (as nice as that would be). I know it is frustrating to see all the misinformation out there and the frustration level is often high for those of us working in the hospital setting. I used to be far more militant than I am now. What I learned from all my years in lactation, from being a nurse, and also from being a parent is that you're never going to achieve perfection: in anything. I would rather support one's efforts and help them through a rough time than turn some off with a militant approach that will benefit no one at all and only make us all look like crazy ladies. Happy new year to one and all. Let's celebrate all that we do right and let go of what we cannot change. Betsy Riedel RNC, IBCLC Connecticut *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html